102 Indian Mounds and Earthworks. 
deeds, and indicating rank, and honor, and high resolve. Under 
the red cross of St. George, the lily of France, and a multitude of 
other standards, the leaders of the soldiers of Christendom were 
individually distinguished by their own proper heraldic bearings. 
That spirit which the olden time originated, and which was 
so strikingly displayed by the chivalry of the middle ages, has, 
it is true, been modified; and as regards individuals, has been 
almost obliterated under the changed aspect of the civilized 
world. But with regard, perhaps, to all existing nations, these 
symbols are yet associated with the spirit of patriotisra, with na- 
tional honor, or with deeply cherished remembrances of ancient 
grandeur. The crescent of the Ottoman empire still shines in 
the East ; the fleur-de-lis of France, originating at least as early 
as the fifth century, is still her honored emblem ; the lion of Eng- 
land, that for “a thousand years has braved the battle and the 
breeze,” yet remains a cherished symbol ; and, although arising 
in later times, the eagle of America is no less an object of national 
pride and endearment. 
The remarks arise out of the obvious similarity of 
method by which, in all times and in all countries, men, whether 
barbarous or civilined,; have found it convenient to distinguish and 
arrange themselves. If the untutored Indians have adopted, as 
the badge of their nation, their race, or their kindred, some sim- 
ple object in nature, so also have the more refined of the old 
world constantly pursued the same mode; and doubtless, one 
common motive led the people of Scotland to select the thistle, 
those of Wales the leek, of Ireland the shamrock, and of England 
the oak, for their national emblems; with each and all of which 
many fond recollections are associated. Thus also did the white 
and red roses of the rival houses of York and Lancaster, desig- 
nate their leaders and unite their followers ; and the same feeling 
which gave rise to the local badges of the numerous Scottish 
clans,* may be traced among the North American tribes, and in 
like manner, suggested the insignia of numberless orders and as- 
sociations in the civilized world. If the mail-clad knight of old 
surmounted his helm with appropriate symbols of courage in the 
field, of devotion to the true faith, or of constancy to his ladye 
love, so also does the red warrior assume the attributes of fierce- 
i Ss ee ee 
* The institution of clans among the North American Indians, appears to have 
been general. Archzol. Am. Vol. II. 
